NPA joins forces with the Scottish Business Resilience Centre

Members of the National Pawnbrokers Association (NPA) across Scotland are working with the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) to crack down on crime.

The Scottish Pawnbrokers Forum has been formed as the new national platform which examines and co-ordinates the flow of current criminal information between Pawnbroking businesses and the SBRC.

Senior representatives from the pawnbroking industry will meet with the SBRC to provide the opportunity to support and encourage partnership working between the sector and law enforcement across Scottish communities.

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The new chair of the Scottish Pawnbrokers Forum is Glasgow based regional manager of H&T Pawnbrokers, John Paterson.

Paterson says: “Pawnbrokers in Scotland already have good links with the police to stamp out crime. This Forum takes this work forward – so we can ensure greater co-ordination across Scotland thereby ensuring our industry continues to be a safe and secure place for people to access affordable short term loans.”

Commenting on the meeting held in Glasgow which led to the formation of the Scottish Pawnbrokers Association, National Pawnbrokers Association chief executive Ray Perry comments: “Our meeting in Glasgow was an important milestone in further developing the close co-operation between Scotland’s NPA members and the police. All of us want to crack down on criminals who try to defraud our industry and who are a menace to our communities.”

Retail and tourism lead at the SBRC, Inspector Maurice Lindsay, states: “The SBRC view this new engagement forum as an excellent opportunity to work alongside the Pawnbroking sector to make Scottish communities a safer place to live and work. This group highlights the intention to combat the effects of organised crime groups by collaborative working and sharing of best practice.

“The membership has representation from over 95% of Scottish Pawnbroking companies. The Scottish Business Resilience Centre working closely with Police Scotland, aims to create a secure Scotland for business to flourish in. Equipping Pawnbroking businesses to identify stolen and counterfeit property is an integral part of targeting those involved in this criminal activity. The SBRC fully support this work and I look forward to forging a strong partnership with all members over the coming months and years.”